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Heat Pump Forum 2023 highlighted urgent need for supportive policies amid sales dip
26 Sep. 2023 | EHPA celebrated its 23rd anniversary while hosting the Heat Pump Forum, a high-level event where the heat pump industry joined forces with the policy-makers to discuss a Heat Pump Accelerator and Plan to support the common objectives of the industry in the context of REPowerEU.
As the sector convenes at the European Heat Pump Forum 2023, concerns loom over the potential risk to achieving the EU’s target of installing 60 million more heat pumps by 2030, essential for bolstering energy independence and decarbonizing heating and cooling across the continent.
Following a robust performance in 2022, early sales data from 2023 paints a worrisome picture, indicating a notable decline in sales, suggestive of broader market trends. In key markets such as Italy, Finland, and Poland, sales have dipped significantly, raising alarms within the industry. Factors contributing to this downturn include shifting governmental policies, alterations in subsidies, and fluctuating gas prices alongside persistently high electricity costs.
Thomas Nowak, Secretary General of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), expressed deep concern, stating, “The sudden policy shifts and unfavorable electricity-to-gas price ratios have severely impacted consumer confidence, posing a significant threat to the heat pump sector—an integral component of the EU’s net-zero industry. Without swift intervention, this downturn not only jeopardizes the sector’s vitality but also impedes Europe’s progress toward net-zero emissions and energy self-sufficiency.”
The plan, slated to address barriers hindering heat pump adoption, including distorted price ratios and insufficient consumer information, must be complemented by concerted efforts at the national level.
In June 2023, EHPA, in collaboration with 20 allied organizations, presented an EU Heat Pump Accelerator document to the European Commission, outlining key recommendations to propel the sector forward. Additionally, the industry seeks inclusion in the ‘industry dialogues’ proposed by Commission President von der Leyen, further amplifying the importance of heat pumps in Europe’s energy transition.
The sentiments echoed by the heat pump sector reverberate throughout the ongoing EU Heat Pump Forum, convening nearly 300 stakeholders, including industry representatives, policymakers, think tanks, and NGOs. Today’s keynote address by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson underscores the criticality of fostering an enabling policy environment to navigate the current challenges and accelerate progress toward a sustainable energy future.
